Crime Stoppers tips lead detectives to robbery suspects

LEHIGH ACRES: Authorities say several tips from the community helped them track down two teenagers suspected of robbing a Lehigh Acres Hess Mart on Sunday.

David Martin Rodriguez, 19, and Chase Everett Turman, 17, both of Lehigh Acres, are each charged with robbery with a firearm.

Sunday afternoon, Lee County sheriff's deputies responded to the Hess Mart at 1351 Homestead Road N. after receiving a call about a robbery.

When deputies arrived, they met with an employee who told them a Hispanic male walked into the store, approached a cash register and showed him a hand-written note demanding money, according to a sheriff's office report.

The employee said he put an undisclosed amount of cash in a bag then handed it to the suspect, who then took off through the front entrance of the store.

The employee said the male was around 5-foot-7, wearing a camouflage hooded jacket, black T-shirt, black shorts, black shoes and dark aviator-style glasses.

Deputies, with the help of a K-9 unit, searched for the suspect but were unsuccessful.

On Monday, authorities obtained surveillance video of the robbery.

That same day, a detective received several Crime Stoppers tips in which Rodriguez and Turman were described as possibly being responsible for the robbery, the report said.

Deputies say another Hess employee reviewed the surveillance footage and later identified Rodriguez as the person who committed the robbery from a photo lineup.

Detectives interviewed both teens before arresting and charging them with one count of robbery with a firearm.

Turman was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center and released Tuesday.

Rodriguez was taken to the Lee County Jail, where he remained Tuesday without bond.